Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR) and collateral circulation in patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO). Chronic total occlusion is an advanced stage of coronary artery disease (CAD) and is characterized by complete occlusion of the coronary arteries. Collateral circulation provides alternative routes that supply blood flow instead of occluded arteries and may affect the prognosis of CTO patients. Neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio is recognized as an indicator of inflammation and can be used to predict the prognosis of various diseases.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 320 patients with CAD who were diagnosed with CTO by coronary angiography were included. Demographic characteristics, clinical findings, and laboratory test results were recorded. The degree of coronary collateral circulation was classified according to the Cohen-Rentrop method. Neutrophil percent-age-to-albumin ratio and other inflammatory parameters were measured. The relationship between NPAR and collateral circulation was evaluated using multivariate analysis.

Results: Neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio levels were significantly associated with poor collateral circulation. Neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio, together with other inflammatory parameters (white blood cell count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein), was identified as an independent marker of poor collateral circulation in CTO patients. Fasting blood glucose levels and diabetes mellitus were also associated with poor collateral circulation.

Conclusion: Neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio is emerging as a simple and effective inflammatory marker that can be used to predict the quality of collateral circulation in CTO patients. This is important for predicting the prognosis of CTO patients and the success of percutaneous revascularization. However, more extensive studies are needed.